KINETIC-MODEL OF EXCITATORY SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION TO CEREBELLAR PURKINJE-CELLS

We present a minimal kinetic model for excitatory synaptic transmissio n to cerebellar Purkinje cells. The main components are a kinetic mode l for a single glutamate receptor, which is calibrated with the help o f patch clamp data, and a mean field approximation for the dynamics of a population of channels, which generate an EPSC. The resulting minim al model of the parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapse is used to estima te the dynamics of glutamate in the synaptic cleft and to clarify the role of receptor desensitization in synaptic transmission. We also app ly the model to different aspects of synaptic modulation, like long-te rm depression and potentiation by pharmacological application of ampak ines. In the framework of the minimal model these effects can be under stood as the result of modified receptor kinetics. (C) 1997 Academic P ress Limited.